just as she did on the occasion I have already referred to. There I was, mounted on the steed of my imagination, as it flew. with me on the wings of swiftness through the immensity of space, and I deeply pondering the while on man's lot, and the nature of the abyss into which the first house-wife caused him to be cast, when lo! that senseless interruption occurred, which made me descend to earth quite as rapidly as ever I had quitted it. It is plain that mighty few women were on the hillock when the wisdom was divided up.

If I am not mistaken, I was enlarging on the subject of the tendency of the aged to applaud the days of their youth, to exaggerate everything that happened in those times, and to think little of the deeds of the present generation, when I was interrupted. in the manner I have already described. And, really, we need not be in the least degree surprised that affairs should be so constituted. It is surely natural enough that men should choose their "salad days" to ponder on. At that period of his life a man is lusty and strong. Without the slightest flaw or failure on the part of joint and sinew does he enjoy the May-day of his life, the whole world looking to his eyes like a charmed sphere. To youth's inexperienced ear all nature resounds with melody, while the young man himself acts as chorus to the music that floods his breast. What wonder, then, that man should award the palm to the days of which I speak, rather than to those unprofitable ones which are his portion once he has grown old? Days in which the sun is darkened, and the moon refuses to give her light; in which the clouds return in the wake of the storm; in which those that keep the house are possessed with a thousand fears, and dread shapes frequent the avenues of life. Instead of the music of the groves being sweet to a man's ear in these days, he starts to tremble at the voice of a bird, because humbled to the dust are the daughters of song. Who is there, then, but will agree that the first state of a man's life is infinitely better than the last?

I am quite aware of the fact that the Preacher uttered sentiments like unto these three thousand years ago, but are they not just as applicable to our own times as they were to his? It is for this reason that I am persuaded that it is an

ungracious act to refuse to listen to the aged, or to discourage them from recounting the deeds of the days of their youth. The pleasure which the aged themselves take in those times is evident enough. The old man lives again, as it were, in the days whose bravery he loves to recount. mit him to do so. It is a trifling thing for you to listen to him, while to him it is a priceless privilege to taste again the joy of those years that can return to him in no other manner.

Per

When I had come to this conclusion, I forked my legs against the mantle piece, I pulled my night-cap down about my ears, I set my teeth, and I said to myself in a low, but determined, tone of voice,

"My hanging and my crucifying And my clothing, if I do not go as I like."

Again and again will I retell how I slew the monster, and how I did not kill the salmon, and everything I have ever done, or failed to accomplish, just because it is forbidden me to do so. The very next time I see Macgillemichael darkening the door of my house, I will spring on him the "Twisting of the Rope," and I will keep up the game till cock-crow. Many is the tale to which he has listened, and not a few of them not half as truthful as those he gets from me. A night or two ago he was telling her it is my wife I am referring to about an unfortunate man who lost his head in some tussle or other. I cannot remember now whether it was by means of a shining sword of light, or a notchy rusty sickle that his head was severed from his body-I was pretending that I was not listening but at all events it seems that the poor fellow was by no means pleased to part with his head. After it he leapt, and seizing it, he quickly clapped it back in its proper place. In a second, there it was as firmly on his neck as ever it was; but, unfortunately, in his haste, he put the mouth-side of his head at the back-side of his body, so that his mouth was now where the back of his head ought to have been, and the apple of his throat was at the back of his neck. How the poor wretch contrived to go through life in that hopeless back-for-mouth fashion I know not. I refused to listen. I stopped my ears lest so much evil communication should corrupt my morals. She, however, listened to the tale to its abandoned end-eye, mouth

and ear wide open, and greedily devouring every word of the narrative.

Pondering on the relish which some peo. ple have for this sort of folly, and the pains that others are at to satisfy the demand by collecting from far and near every nonsensical tale, extravagant story or amazing anecdote touching the feats performed by man whilst the world was yet young, according to our notions, my opinion is that no one should grudge the poor old man his desire to add his own quota to the mass of all this vain and trifling conversation. For is it not just as worthy of credence as any of the nonsense that has come down to us from distant ages-ages in which man, in all probability, was nowise more truthful than he is to-day, if we are to consider him in the light of the rubbish that he devised, and which, carried on the breast of the stream of the swiftly flowing years, has in that fashion descended to us? How vastly scurvy a thing it is, then that my wife should repose no confidence in the truth of the tales which I relate to my visitors, whilst she solemnly believes every single word that has been bequeathed to us from those dark ages in which man was little better than the wild beasts of the desert. If they were sensible tales--though not my own that she honored with her partiality, I could make a shift to understand it, but what is to be thought of rigmaroles so fully charged with every extravagant and improbable circumstance that nobody in v hom there is the smallest glimmering of sense could possibly believe them--but there you have just the kind of tale which the women delight to listen to.

Besides ransacking the world above ground for tales and romances, are we not spending thousands of pounds English, year after year, in burrowing and delving amongst the ruins of the great cities of the world, in order to learn something about the men who built and inhabited them, and the sort of civilization which they raised? So zealous are we in our pursuit of this kind of knowledge that it may truthfully be said that we have not left a single grave unturned, or cemetery unrifled, that seemed to offer prospect of some plunder. Pharaoh after Pharaoh have we dragged out of their tombs, in the belief that they were hiding from us something in regard to which it was proper that we should be informed. Perhaps in one way all this

zeal is commendable enough, but in another, my opinion is that it is not a little disgraceful. To the best of my belief, the knowledge we have gained through the channel I have indicated goes to prove what I have already asserted, that the old people of former times were just as garrulous as are those of our own days, and every whit as mendacious—the tales with which they eased their idle hours being just as extravagant as those which the ancients of this age are accustomed to relate to one another.

Putting, then, this and that together, the conclusion I have come to is, that the only thing that ails my own stories is that they are not sufficiently mendacious, and that it is for this reason that they are held in so little esteem.

And if my surmise is correct, I beg leave to remark that it would incommode me little should I in future resort to generous measures. I see nothing to preent me from adding two or three feet to the tail of the salmon, and stretching out the white summer's day to a year and a day. Methinks that that should oblige my wife to incline her ear and to open her eyes. I have not yet made up my mind touching the monster I slew on the Island-of-theSeals, but if I do not make something truly terrific of it, set me down as a liar!

For my own part, I have no patience with people who strain at gnats and swallow camels.

MILK AND SCONES
Speak nae to me o' turtle soup
Wi' oysters frae the sea.
To French snail pies I'll never stoop,
Nor common poddock bree.
My thochts ging back to lyth Lairhill,
I hear fond welcome tones,
Sae I will sing o' Mary's skill,

Her matchless milk and scones.
I've dined wi' lairds o' micht and means
Wi' factors I've been fou,

Hae provosts, baillies 'mong my friens,
An ministers anew;

I've kissed and courted maidens fair,
Confabed wi' learned dons,

But a' sic joys will ne'er compare,
Wi' Mary's milk and scones.

Now let me whisper in your ear,
But this ye mauna tell,
Tho' Mary's skill to me is dear

I like her some hersel';
That winsome face, that modest grace
For gowd and gear atones,

Sae fill your glass, drink to the lass
That bakes the Lairhill scones.

W. CARNIE.

Biblical Biographies

NATHANIEL, OR BARTHOLOMEW The common opinion of Biblical scholars is that Nathaniel and Bartholomew are one and the same person. This perhaps arises from the two following things: First, that the name Bartholomew, as an Apostle, is invariably associated with Philip, who was also an Apostle, and who had brought Nathaniel to Jesus. Second, that the name Nathaniel is only used by John, and never by any one of the other three Evangelists in their gospels. They always use the word Bartholomew in their enumeration of the Apostles. This dealing with names in Scripture is not by any means singular. example, Joses, surnamed Barrabas, Simon Barjona surnamed Peter.

For and

The name Nathaniel signifies the "gift of God." The references to him in the Word of God are few and simple. St. John is the only one of the Sacrec Penmen who mentions the name, and even he makes only two allusions the one at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus (John 1:45, 51) and the other at the close of Christ's ministry, after His resurrection and immediately before His ascension (John XXI:2). From St. John's gospel, we learn that Nathaniel was brought to Jesus through the instrumentality of Philip, who had recently been called by Jesus, Himself, to become one of His disciples; we also learn of the beautiful description Jesus gave of Nathaniel's character in these words, "An Israelite, indeed, in whom there is no guile."

I may remark that some scholars tell us that we are not to regard Nathaniel as being of Jewish descent. He is declared to be a Syrian, and to be descended from the Ptolemais of Egypt. This view of Nathaniel's nationality we are unable to accept, since the Sacred Narrative shows that he was a Galilean-yea, that he was a resident of Galilee: for his home was in Cana of Galilee (John XXI:2).

Scripture is silent regarding Nathaniel's life's history after the resurrection of Christ, but tradition informs us that he became a most eminent and faithful preacher of the Gospel of Jesus among the Heathen, that he penetrated into the higher Indies. St. Chrysostom tells that he returned from thence and came to Lycaonia, where he instructed and taught the people the Christian doctrine. His last sphere of labor was in great Arminia, where he toiled most faithfully, put forth all his energy in seeking the spiritual welfare of the people, and finally sealed the Truth, which he taught them, and the doctrines of God's Word, which he had preached to them, with the shedding of his blood.

As to his character, it is noted for three special features: (1) The Humility, (2) The Simplicity, (3) The Sincerity. It was a beautiful character, as we learn from the honorable appelation in which Jesus addressed him on his first coming to Him, "An Israelite in whom there is no guile." What a noble,

yea, God-like character, Nathaniel must have possessed! Since He who knew what was in men, pronounced him to be! The effect of this pronouncement on Christ's part was to convince Nathaniel that the Son of Man was the true Messiah, who was to come into the world in the fullness of the time to do His Father's will. His faith is confirmed in Jesus that He was the Son of God; when Jesus assures him that he would be favored with brighter visions of His glory and clearer evidences of His divinity.

Nathaniel was distinguished for his deep piety; he was one of the few in Jerusalem, who like good old Simeon, was looking earnestly and waiting prayerfully for the first advent of Him to whom the types and sacrifices in the Mosaic dispensation pointed. He was what might be styled "a good and faithful Old Testament believer"; and hence that marvellous encomium pronounced upon him by Jesus: "An Israelite in whom there is no guile."

Nathaniel was noted for his unprejudiced mind, and his readiness to mark his appreciation of the Truth when presented to him for his reception. Being thoroughly persuaded in his mind of the Messiahship of Jesus, he entertains no longer the spirit of indecision, which characterizes so many professing Christians of the present day, and which has been found to be so injurious to the progress of true religion in man's life; and which deprives him of that sweetness and delight found in the service of our Blessed Master. For what is that which gives satisfaction and pleasure in Christ's service? It is the spirit of decision. This is the spirit that led Nathaniel to exclaim: "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God!" Many seem to serve the Master in such a halfhearted manner that their service brings little help to others, and little joy to their own hearts, and little glory to their Divine Master.

Ordinary Talents Not To Be Despised

The world is full of "one talent" men and Women. Yet the possession of but a single talent is no excuse for inactivity in the Master's Kingdom. And no matter how ordinary or commonplace our talent may be, we are required to use it so as to honor our Lord and Maker.

The world's work would never be done unless the men of ordinary talent did their share. So in the Kingdom of God the great bulk of the work must be done by those to whom has been entrusted but a single talent. -American Messenger.

Rev. Dr. J. H. Jowett, his wife and daughter sailed Wednesday, May 18, on the Kroonland, for England, where Dr. Jowett will spend most of the time until September preaching and comforting the members of his former congregation in Birmingham, bereft by the war. He will also visit Scotland and spend a part of his vacation at his beautiful residence in the Island of

Arran.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Holy Father, we are now me: together in Thy presence. May our souls be subdued in joyful solemnity. May we experience that deepest of all joys which is born of holy communion with Thee. Lead us into new fields of wonderful inheritance in Christ. May we have new surprises of grace. May some fresh revelations of Thy love break upon our astonished vision. Remove the scales from our eyes, so that we may see clearly the things which are waiting to be unveiled. Graciously make known to us what Thou wouldst have us be in order that we may then more clearly apprehend what Thou wouldst have us do. Help us to remember what we ought not to forget, and help us to forget what we ought not to remember. May our minds be the servants of Thy truth. Let the beams of heavenly light chase out the darkness of error and let it be all glorious within. We humbly pray Thee to deliver us from our selfishness, and enlarge and refine our sympathies until they express themselves in willing sacrifice. May we feel the pains of others, and carry their burdens and share their yokes. May the circles of our compassion grow larger every day. Let the ends of the earth be at our own doors, and so may we hear the cry which is very far off. Illumine our lives in this service, and send us forth to enlighten and kindle the lives of others. Make us missionaries of Thy truth and embassadors of Thy grace and love. May we be quick to discern Opportunity and ready to use it in the service of the King. Amen.-Rev. J. H. Jowett. D. D.

THE FIDELITY OF WOMEN

"Now there were standing by the cross of Jesus His mother and Mary Magdalene." Here is the Magdalene loyal to an apparently lost cause, faithful to her friend in the hour of seemingly appalling disaster and defeat. That little weeping company has conferred immortal glory on their sex. They stand for a type of tenacious and unbreaking fidelity which is the most radiant distinction of every true and noble woman. To woman has been given in extraordinary measure the power of holding on, and holding out, and standing by the lonely cross when the once popular hero is dying, and the black night has rolled across the noon. What would become of this old world if women were not found near our crosses, loyal in the blackest hour, still ministering when hope has nearly died out, and clinging with the very grip of God's own love to the flickering hope that remains! How many men there are who have been rescued from hell because some woman stood steadfastly by them, their unbreakable friend in the midnight! Think of the mothers who have stood by their sons in the blackest darkness, and by their inexhaustible love have brought them up to heaven. The hope of the world is in its

REV. JOHN HENRY JOWETT, D. D.

women, the women who in their hour of midnight retain their belief in the coming dawn. The great symbolic painter, Watts, when he wished to create a symbolic figure of hope, enshrined it in a woman. A woman is sitting upon the circle of the globe. It is a night sky. Every star is hid. Nay, she herself is blindfolded as though even sight itself had lost its use. Her lyre, upon which she has been playing, is broken. string is gone but one, and she is bending over that single string, listening to the music which she can elicit from the one remaining chord. It is a woman bringing music out of the last string, faithful and hopeful to the last. (Extract from Dr. Jowett's sermon of Sunday, April 30, 1916.)

A GLORIOUS CHURCH

Every

"Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it that He might present the Church to Himself a glorious Church." Is the Church a glorious Church? Does she shine with weighty and impressive splendor? Yes, at times she shines with most unearthly glory. In my time I have had large opportunity of seeing much of the Bride of the Lord. I have seen her in remote and secluded villages. I have seen her in little market towns as well as in vast and congested cities. I have seen her amcng the shepherds, and among the miners, and among the fishermen, and among the graduates of universities, and among the pinched children of disadvantage, and I have often returned home with this judgment on my heart and lips-she is worthy to be the Bride, the wife of the Lamb. On the other hand I have seen much